Jamaican-American rapper Safaree “Stuntman” Samuels has relocated his highly anticipated back-to-school treat from Waterhouse in Kingston to Pondside, Hanover, his parents’ birthplace.
According to Safaree, the decision was made in response to escalating violence in Waterhouse, which has led to a curfew in the area.
The No Regular Girl artist had been actively promoting the event for Waterhouse, showcasing various donated items, including Clarks footwear and backpacks. However, on Tuesday afternoon, he announced the change in location via an Instagram post.
“So I just got off the phone with commanding officers Grant and Thompson at the Olympic Police Station in Waterhouse, Kingston, and unfortunately, due to the senseless killing and violence going on out there that has been happening in the past week, they said that Waterhouse is now under curfew, and they pretty much said, ‘Safaree, do not do the treat here.’ So it’s really out of my control,” Safaree stated.
Despite the setback, Safaree said he remains committed to the event, now scheduled to take place at the Pondside Primary and Infant School in Hanover on Thursday, August 29, from 11:00 am to 4:00pm.
He also expressed his connection to the alternative location, pointing out that Hanover is where his parental roots are.
“And I’m still doing it, but I am going to be doing it in Hanover instead. So I will be in Hanover. That’s my parish. That’s my family’s bloodline. That’s where everybody comes from. So that’s where it is happening..,,” he said.
In his Instagram post, Safaree also addressed those responsible for the violence in Waterhouse, which resulted in the Jamaica Constabulary Force imposing a curfew, which requires all persons within its boundaries to remain within their premises, unless otherwise authorised by the ground commander.
According to him, they “just ruined an amazing opportunity for a lot of people”.
“But to the people out there who are doing the senseless acts of violence, you just really snatched an opportunity from a lot of innocent kids out there who really could use what I was about to do for you all. You gotta chill out. You all gotta stop it, you know,” he stated.
This upcoming treat is not Safaree’s first charitable endeavor in Jamaica.
In 2017, he launched the “Stunt for Jamaica” initiative, which aims to donate computers to primary and secondary schools across the island monthly.
However, Safaree said then that he had previously encountered challenges in gathering information about schools and connecting with key individuals, noting that he lacked many connections in Kingston and had always intended to start his efforts in Hanover.
Safaree, who began his music career as a member of the group The Hoodstars alongside Nicki Minaj, gained recognition for his contributions to several of Minaj’s songs and his appearance on the reality TV series “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.”
He co-wrote the single Did It On’em from Minaj’s debut album Pink Friday and was credited for writing six songs on her second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.
He made his first foray into Dancehall in 2015 with the mixtape Real Yard Vibes, which, at the time, he said was aimed at showcasing the authentic essence of dancehall and reggae music to American audiences.
The 19-track mixtape included collaborations with dancehall artists, including Bounty Killer, Twin of Twins, Tanto Metro, Ward 21, Bounty Killa, Alozade, and Chico.
At the time, he had expressed his intention to avoid creating mainstream or watered-down tracks often labeled as “Tropical House,” which he believed were misrepresentations of real Dancehall and Reggae.
Instead, Safaree had said he was committed to producing gritty, authentic music infused with his personal touch to capture the true “yard vibes.”
He also pointed out the uniqueness of his mixtape, noting that, aside from Busta Rhymes, he was the only American rapper who could seamlessly switch between patois, English, dancehall, and rap.
His connection to Dancehall was further highlighted during Reggae Sumfest 2016, where he performed alongside Bounty Killer, whom he considers one of the greatest of all time.
